Enabling identification of online identities between different messaging services

ABSTRACT

A method and system for populating identities in a message service involves registering a user of a first messaging service with a second messaging service. User identities for users other than the registered user may be identified. These user identities may be associated with the first messaging service and may be stored in a list associated with the registered user. It is determined if each identified user identity has a matching user identity associated with the second messaging service. If so, a database associated with the second messaging service is populated with the matching user identities. Determining whether a matching user identity exists may be performed, for example, by making character strings comparisons between user identities or using a database that stores a mapping of first messaging service user identities to second messaging service user identities. The mapping database may be generated as corresponding user identities are discovered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/618,988, filed Sep. 14, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/801,398, filed Jun. 7, 2010, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 8,495,156, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/744,349, filed Dec. 22, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,734,708.Each of the aforementioned patent(s), and applications(s) is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to online message services configured, forexample, to identify matching online identities when switching betweendifferent online message services.

BACKGROUND

Numerous different service providers offer online messaging services,such as email and instant messaging. Such messaging services allowsubscribers to communicate electronically through a wireless network,Internet, LAN, and/or other communication media. Subscribers meidentified within each messaging service by a unique identifier, such asan identifier (e.g., a screen name) or email address. An instantmessaging service offers users the ability to communicate with otherusers who are online and signed onto the instant messaging service whoare on the same instant messaging service. Generally, each subscriberstores the identifiers of other subscribers with whom he communicatesusing instant messages in a contact list that is associated with theinstant messaging service. The contact list may be stored locally on thesubscriber's computer, PDA, or other communication device and/or may bestored remotely on a server associated with the instant messagingservice.

Yet subscribers may only communicate with other subscribers. Thus, if asubscriber wants to switch to or add a new instant messaging service,the contact list for the original instant messaging service is notusable on the new service. Accordingly, if the subscriber wants tocontinue to exchange instant messages with some or all of the samepeople on the new service, the subscriber must first determine which ofthose people subscribe to the new service and/or convince others toswitch to or add the new service, find out the identifier on the newservice for each of the other people, and manually add each suchidentifier to the subscriber's contact list on the new service.

SUMMARY

Techniques are provided for simplifying the process of switching betweenmessaging services. In particular, using the contents of a user'scontact list for a first messaging service, corresponding useridentities in a second messaging service may be identified either byanalyzing similarities in the user identities or by looking for an entryin a mapping database that stores information linking user identitiesbetween the two messaging services. Entries in such a mapping databasemay be generated as determinations are made that a user identity in thefirst messaging service corresponds to a user identity in the secondmessaging service.

In one general aspect, a method for populating identities in a messageservice includes registering a user of a first messaging service with asecond messaging service and identifying first messaging service useridentities for users other than the registered user that are stored in alist associated with the registered user. A determination is madewhether each identified user identity has a matching user identityassociated with the second messaging service. If so, a databaseassociated with the second messaging service is populated with thematching user identities.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the second messaging service and the first messaging servicemay be instant messaging services. The user identities associated withthe first messaging service may be included in a contact list associatedwith the first messaging service. The user identities associated withthe first and/or the second messaging services may be screen names. Thedatabase associated with the second messaging service may represent acontact list for the registered user. The method may involve populatinga contact list that is associated with the second messaging service forat least one of the other users with a user identifier for theregistered user.

Determining whether each identified user identity has a matching useridentity associated with the second messaging service may involveidentifying if a unique portion of each identified user identity isidentical to a unique portion of a user identity associated with thesecond messaging service. In addition or as an alternative, determiningif each identified user identity has a matching user identity associatedwith the second messaging service may involve identifying if a uniqueportion of each identified user identity has at least some features incommon with a unique portion of a user identity associated with thesecond messaging service. The method may also include adjusting arequired amount of common features between a unique portion of anidentified user identity and a unique portion of a matching useridentity associated with the second messaging service based on a degreeof uniqueness of the identified user identity.

The method may include obtaining approval to populate a databaseassociated with the second messaging service with each matching useridentity. The approval may be obtained from either or both of theregistered user and the other user associated with the matching useridentity. Obtaining approval to populate the database with each matchinguser identity may include requesting confirmation from the other userassociated with the matching user identity that the respectiveidentified user identity is associated with the other user.

In another general aspect, a method for populating identities in amessage service may include registering a user of a first messagingservice with a second messaging service and comparing a first messagingservice list, associated with the registered user, of user identitiesfor other users of the first messaging service with a databasecontaining a mapping of user identities associated with thefirst-messaging service to user identities associated with the secondmessaging service. User identities associated with the second messagingservice that correspond to entries in the first messaging service listmay be identified based on matches between the first messaging servicelist and the database.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the registered user may be notified of the identified useridentities. The method may also include populating a second messagingservice list associated with the registered user with one or both of theidentified user identities. The second messaging service may include aninstant messaging service and the second messaging service list mayinclude a contact list associated with the instant messaging service forthe registered user. Populating the second messaging service list may beperformed in response to receiving an authorization from the registereduser to populate the second messaging service list with one or more ofthe identified user identities. The first messaging service may be anelectronic mail service, and the first messaging service list may be anaddress book associated with the electronic mail service.

The method may further include receiving an indication from theregistered user of an identifier associated with the registered user forthe first messaging service and adding an entry in the database mappingthe identifier for the first messaging service to a user identityassociated with the registered user for the second messaging service.The method may also include receiving an indication from the registereduser of the first messaging service and accessing the first messagingservice list based on the received indication. Receiving the indicationof the first messaging service may also include receiving a password,associated with the registered user for the first messaging service, andaccessing the first messaging service list may be based on the receivedpassword.

In another general aspect, a method for managing identities in a messageservice may include registering a user of a first messaging service witha second messaging service and requesting an identification of a firstuser identifier for the registered user. The first user identifier maybe associated with the first messaging service. An identification of thefirst user identifier may be received, and a mapping between the firstuser identifier and a second user identifier, associated with the secondmessaging service, for the registered user may be stored.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the method may include requesting a password associated withthe first user identifier for the first messaging service and receivingthe password associated with the first user identifier. The method mayinclude using the first user identifier and the password to access thefirst messaging service and extracting data associated with the firstuser identifier from the first messaging service to the second messagingservice. The first messaging service may represent an instant messagingservice and the extracted data may include a contact list associatedwith the instant messaging service. The method may include identifyinguser identities associated with the second messaging service thatcorrespond to user identities in the contact list and populating a listassociated with the registered user in the second messaging service withthe corresponding second messaging service user identities.

Identifying user identities associated with the second messaging servicemay include comparing the user identities in the contact list withstored mappings between user identities associated with the firstmessaging service and user identities associated with the secondmessaging service for additional users that have previously registeredwith the second messaging service. The extracted data may include userprofile information. The method may include registering an additionaluser of the first messaging service with the second messaging service,identifying the first user identifier in a first messaging servicecontact list for the additional user, and using the stored mappingbetween the first user identifier and the second user identifier topopulate a second messaging service contact list for the additional userwith the second user identifier. The method may include requesting anidentification of the first messaging service in addition to the firstuser identifier and receiving the identification of the first messagingservice.

The described techniques may be implemented as a method, in a system, orin a machine-readable medium that stores instructions for causing one ormore processors to perform the techniques.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a representative configuration of a systemfor supporting messaging services between subscribers.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process for populating identities in amessaging service.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process for populating identities in aninstant messaging service.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for populating identities in amessaging service using information stored in a mapping database.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process for populating identities in aninstant messaging service.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for populating a mapping databaseassociated with a messaging service.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process for populating a mapping databaseand contact lists in an instant messaging service.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a data processingsystem, which may be used to implement a system for populating useridentifiers in a messaging service.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques may be provided for facilitating the migration of subscribersfrom a first messaging service to a second messaging service. Thetechniques may be used in connection with instant messaging services,electronic mail services, and/or other messaging services. For example,if a user switches from one instant messaging service to another, adds asecond messaging service, adds an electronic mail service aftersubscribing to an instant messaging service, or adds an instantmessaging service after subscribing to an electronic mail service, suchtechniques may be used to populate a contact list associated with thesecond messaging service based on user identities contained in a contactlist associated with the first messaging service. Although the followingdescription relates primarily to instant messaging services, such as AOLInstant Messenger (AIM), it will be understood that the techniques mayalso be applied in the context of other messaging services.

When a user subscribes to an instant messaging service, he willtypically develop a contact list of people with whom he communicatesusing instant messages. Because such a contact list is associated with,and can only be utilized in connection with, the particular instantmessaging service, there is a disincentive to switch to a new instantmessaging service. In particular, if the user wants to switch to a newinstant messaging service (e.g., because of desirable features offeredby the second messaging service), he must develop an entirely newcontact list. Unless a number of users decide to switch at the sametime, the user that switches will likely have to populate the newcontact list with an entirely new set of people who do subscribe to thenew service. Even if a group of users decide to switch at the same time,each of the users would have to manually generate a new contact list onthe new instant messaging service. As a result, users may be discouragedfrom switching to a new service because of the difficulties involved.

It is possible, however, to at least partially automate the conversionprocess by providing a way to populate a contact list associated with asecond messaging service with entries that correspond to entries in acontact list associated with a first messaging service. Such acapability makes it easier to populate the contact list associated withthe new messaging service with identifiers of users with whom theswitching subscriber previously communicated with on the first messagingservice.

The first subscribers to switch may initially be able to populate thenew contact list with only a few, if any, identifiers of other usersthat have switched services. This is because, prior to anyone switchingmessaging services, there will be no users on the second messagingservice that were previously on the first messaging service. As usersswitch services, however, the universe of users on the second or newmessaging service who previously subscribed (or also subscribe) to thefirst messaging service will grow. The size of this universe may benefitusers as they switch from the first to the second messaging service byproviding such users with a larger set of people or user identifiersfrom which to populate their respective new contact lists, In addition,as new users switch from the first to the second messaging service, theuser identifiers associated with such new users may be used to populatethe contact list of users who previously switched from the first to thesecond messaging service. As a result, these techniques can be used tosimplify the process of switching from one messaging service to anotheror adding a second messaging service both for the initial users whoswitch and for later users who switch, thereby avoiding disincentivesagainst switching between messaging services.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a representative configuration of asystem 100 for supporting messaging services between subscribers. Thesystem 100 includes a network 105 (e.g., the Interact or a LAN)accessible by subscribers through client devices 110(1)-110(n), whichmay include personal computers, PDAs, wireless devices, and the like. Afirst messaging service is supported by a messaging service A server 115that is connected to the network 105. A contact list database 120associated with the first messaging service stores a contact list foreach subscriber. Each contact list contains the screen names or otheruser identifiers that the subscriber has added to the contact list.Typically, these screen names or other user identifiers are associatedwith users with whom the subscriber communicates or has communicated.Although the description refers to screen names, other types ofidentifiers may be used. In addition, although the contact list database120 is depicted as being connected to the messaging service A server115, the contact list may additionally or alternatively be stored in oneor more client devices 110 or in a database accessible by the clientdevices 110 and/or the messaging service A server 115 through thenetwork 105. In another possible implementation, each contact list maybe stored locally on one or more client devices 110 in the from ofscreen names or other user identifiers while the contact list database120 may store routing information for the screen names or other useridentifiers.

A second messaging service is supported by a messaging service B server125 that is connected to the network 105. A contact list database 130associated with the second messaging service stores a contact list foreach subscriber. As with the contact list database 120, however, contactlists may actually be stored in a variety of different locations in theoverall system 100. When a subscriber to the first messaging serviceswitches to the second messaging service or otherwise adds asubscription to the second messaging service, the messaging service Bserver 125 may perform actions that assist in populating thesubscriber's new contact list associated with the second messagingservice and/or populating the contact lists of other subscribers to thesecond messaging service.

For example, the messaging service B server 125 may access thesubscriber's old contact list associated with the first messagingservice to determine if any of the user identities contained in the oldcontact list have matching identities in the second messaging service.If so, the matching identities may be added to the subscriber's newcontact list associated with the second messaging service. Access to thesubscriber's old contact list may be obtained, for example, by searchingfiles contained on a client device 110 associated with the user (if theold contact list is stored in a client device 110) or by signing on tothe first messaging service using a screen name and password provided bythe subscriber (if the old contact list is stored in the contact listdatabase 120 located at the messaging service A server 115 or elsewhereon the network 105). The messaging service B server 125 may beprogrammed with software that enable the messaging service B server 125to access the subscriber's old contact list, although such access mayrequire that the subscriber first provides his user name or screen nameand password.

The messaging service B server 125 may additionally or alternativelyrefer to a mapping database 135 that stores mappings of user identifiersassociated with the first messaging service to user identifiersassociated with the second messaging service. For example, subscribersto the second messaging service who previously subscribed, or continueto subscribe, to the first messaging service may have an entry in themapping database 135 that stores information associating thesubscriber's first messaging service identifier with the subscriber'ssecond messaging service identifier. This mapping information may beused by the messaging service B server 125 to populate a newsubscriber's new contact list with identifiers for other users on thesecond messaging service who were previously on the new subscriber's oldcontact list associated with the first messaging service.

Furthermore, the messaging service B server 125 may store a mapping ofthe new subscriber's first messaging service identifier to the newsubscriber's second messaging service identifier. This mapping may bestored in the mapping database 135 when the new subscriber registerswith the second messaging service or at some subsequent time. Themapping that is stored in the mapping database 135 may be used to assistin populating the contact lists of other users of the second messagingservice who have previously registered or who subsequently register withthe second messaging service and for whom the new subscriber iscontained in the other users' respective first messaging service contactlists.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process 200 for populating identities in amessaging service. For example, user identities may be stored in acontact list associated with the messaging service or in some other typeof database that contains user identities. The process 200 may involveregistering a specific user of a first messaging service with a secondmessaging service (step 205). Each messaging service may have its ownset of user identities. In other words, a particular set of useridentities may be associated with each messaging service. The useridentities may represent, for example, screen names in an instantmessaging (IM) service, email addresses in an email service, or otherpersonal identification (e.g., name, address, telephone, number, and thelike) for a particular user or subscriber. User identities associatedwith the first messaging service may be identified in a list associatedwith the specific user (step 210). For example, the specific user mayhave a contact list that contains user identities for a number of othersubscribers to the first messaging service. These user identities may beidentified by the second messaging service after or when the specificuser registers with the second messaging service.

Next, user identities matching on the two messaging services areidentified (step 215). The criteria for determining whether two useridentities match may be based on any of a number of different factors.For example, user identities may be determined to match if uniqueportions of screen names or other identifiers are identical between thefirst and second messaging services. Unique portions may involve thoseportions of the screen names that do not include a common suffix (e.g.,“@xyz.com”) used by the messaging services. Alternatively, useridentities may be determined to match if unique portions of screen-namesor other identifiers include character strings that are highly similar(e.g., that differ only by a numerical suffix, such a “johndoe” and“johndoe2”). In another alternative, user identities may be determinedto match based on profile data associated with each messaging service,such as name and residential address, email address, phone number,and/or the like, assuming such information is available and accessible.

Finally, a database associated with the second messaging service may bepopulated with the matching user identities (step 220). For example, thedatabase may be a contact list for the specific user or may be a mappingdatabase (see FIG. 1) that maps user identities between the first andsecond messaging services. In some implementations, it may be possibleto automatically populate the database with the matching useridentities. Depending on the degree of certainty associated with thematching criteria, however, it may be preferable to only populate thedatabase after confirming that the matching user identities areassociated with a common user (e.g., by querying the user associatedwith the second messaging service user identity).

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process 300 for populating identities inan instant messaging service. The process 300 may involve registering aspecific user of a first instant messaging (IM) service with a second IMservice (step 305). A contact list associated with the first IM servicefor the specific user is located, and screen names contained in thecontact list are identified (step 310). In some cases, the contact listmay be locally stored on a client device used by the specific user.Therefore, the contact list may be accessed by the second IM servicewithout cooperation from the first IM service. Alternatively, theidentification of screen names contained in the contact list may beperformed with cooperation of the first IM service via access to thehosting services of the first IM service. As another alternative, theidentification of screen names contained in the contact list may beperformed without cooperation of the first IM service but neverthelessaccessing the hosting services of the first IM service via the userlogging into the first IM service.

For each identified screen name, a degree of uniqueness is determined(step 315). Determining the degree of uniqueness may involve determiningwhether or how many screen names on the second IM service are the sameor similar to the identified screen name. Similarity may be judged bywhether character strings that represent screen names on the second IMservice have at least a certain percentage of characters in common withthe identified screen name, or at least a certain percentage of commoncharacters in the portion of each name that precedes a domain name orother prefix/suffix known to differ among the services. Thus, two screennames may be considered similar if they differ only by a numericalsuffix or if they represent alternative spellings. An analysis ofsimilarity may be performed according to any desired criteria and may beimplemented, for example, using software designed to correlate eachidentified screen name with screen names associated with the second IMservice. Based on the degree of uniqueness, a threshold level ofsimilarity for finding a matching screen name may be adjusted (step320). In some implementations, matches may be determined based only onan exact correspondence between the user-specific portions of the screennames, and steps 315 and 320 may be omitted.

Next, a determination is made as to whether each identified screen namehas a matching screen name associated with the second IM service (step325). In some implementations, a match may require that a unique portionof each screen name is identical, while in other implementations, amatch may only require some degree of similarity (e.g., in accordancewith the adjusted threshold level of similarity). A match may alsoinvolve presenting a list of potential matching screen names (and/orother identification information associated with the screen name) to thespecific user for her selection of which potential matching screen namesmay represent an actual match. If a match (or potential match) is found,a determination may be made as to whether a user associated with thematching screen name was once associated with the identified screen name(step 330). This determination may be desirable to confirm that there isa match and may be made by querying the user associated with thematching screen name if he is or was also associated with thecorresponding identified screen name on the first IM service, or byconsulting a profile maintained by or for that user reflecting the same.

If it is determined at step 330 that the matching screen name was onceassociated with the identified screen name, approval to populate thespecific user's new contact list (i.e., the contact list associated withthe second IM service) with the matching screen name may be requestedfrom the user associated with the matching screen name (step 335). Inaddition, the matching screen name may be added to a database (see,e.g., reference numeral 135 in FIG. 1) that maps the identified screenname to the matching screen name. Such a process is described below ingreater detail in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7. If approval is received(step 340), approval to populate the specific user's new contact listwith the matching screen name may be requested from the specific user(step 345). This ensures that the specific user actually wants thematching screen name in her new contact list. If approval is received(step 350), the specific user's new contact list is populated with thematching screen name (step 355). If either user denies approval, theprocess may end (step 385).

In addition to populating the specific user's new contact list with thematching screen name, it may also be desirable to enable populating thesecond IM service contact list for the user associated with the matchingscreen name with the second IM service screen name for the specificuser. This capability would simplify the process of switching to a newIM service and the process of populating contact lists. Accordingly,approval to populate the contact list for the user associated with thematching screen name with the specific user's second IM service screenname may be requested from the specific user (step 360). If approval isreceived (step 365), approval to populate the contact list for the userassociated with the matching screen name with the specific user's secondIM service screen name may be requested from the user associated withthe matching screen name (step 370). If approval is received (step 375),the contact list for the user associated with the matching screen nameis populated with the specific user's screen name (step 380). If eitheruser denies approval, the process may end (step 385).

In some implementations, the process 300 of populating identities in aninstant messaging service may be limited to situations in which thesearch for matching users is performed at or about the time that thespecific user registers with the second IM service. In such a case, thesearch for second IM service screen names that match first IM servicescreen names contained in the specific user's old contact list isessentially limited to users who registered with the second IM serviceprior to the specific user. In other implementations, however, it may bepossible to perform the process 300 at any time. Thus, the search forsecond IM service screen names that match first IM service screen namescontained in the specific user's old contact list may also include userswho registered with the second IM service after the specific user.Searching subsequent to the initial registration might occur, forexample, at a defined (by the user or system) time or interval, or ifthe specific user does not initially make her first IM service contactlist available to the second IM service for searching or if a periodicupdate search is desirable to increase the population of the specificuser's new contact list. As another alternative, a mapping may bemaintained of all users who have switched from the first IM service tothe second IM service and that have requested updates for their oldcontact list. The mapping can be between each first IM service screenname and all of the users on the second IM service who requestnotification if the person with the first IM service screen nameswitches to the second IM service. If the person with the first IMservice screen name subsequently switches, the contact lists for all ofthe users on the second IM service who requested notification can beautomatically updated.

As an illustrative example, John, Andrea, and Bob may subscribe to afirst IM service (e.g., AOL Instant Messenger) and may have first IMservice screen names of “JohnP”, “AndreaH”, and “BobH,” respectively. Inaddition, each of John, Andrea, and Bob may be on one another's first IMservice contact list. John might also subscribe to a second IM service(e.g., XYZ Instant Messaging) and have a second IM service screen nameof “JohnP@xyz.com”. If Andrea subsequently switches to the second IMservice, a server associated with the second IM service may identifyJohn's first IM service screen name (and any other screen names) inAndrea's first IM service contact list. The second IM service server maythen compare the screen name “JohnP” with screen names in the second IMservice to determine if a matching screen name exists in the second IMservice. In this case, the second IM service server may identify thescreen name “JohnP@xyz.com” as a potentially matching screen name.Accordingly, the second IM service server may ask John for confirmationthat the screen names both belong to the same user and may requestconsent from John and/or Andrea before populating Andrea's and/or John'ssecond IM service contact list(s) with the other's second IM servicescreen name.

In addition to populating contact lists based on a presumption thatmatches between screen names represent a common user as described inconnection with FIGS. 2 and 3, it may also be possible to populatecontact lists based on a stored mapping of different messaging serviceidentities. In particular, a database may store information linking anidentity used in one messaging service to an identity used in anothermessaging service, thereby indicating that both identities areassociated with the same user.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process 400 for populating identities in amessaging service using information stored in a mapping database. Theprocess 400 may involve registering a specific user of a first messagingservice with a second messaging service (step 405). User identities in afirst messaging service list associated with the specific user may becompared with a mapping database that contains information linkingidentities between the first and second messaging services (step 410).The first messaging service list may represent a contact list thatcontains user identities for a number of other subscribers to the firstmessaging service. Based on the comparison in step 410, anidentification is made of user identities associated with the secondmessaging service that correspond to user identities in the firstmessaging service list (step 415). For example, for each user identityin the first messaging service list, it is determined if the useridentity has an entry in the mapping database that links the firstmessaging service user identity to a corresponding second messagingservice user identity.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process 500 for populating identities inan instant messaging service. FIG. 5 represents a more detailedimplementation of the process 400 depicted in FIG. 4. The process 500may involve registering a specific user of a first instant messaging(IM) service with a mapping service (e.g., see FIG. 4) or a second IMservice (step 505). At the time of registration or at some subsequenttime, an identification may be received from the specific user of thefirst IM service, the specific user's screen name in the first IMservice, and an associated password (step 510). For example, when thespecific user registers for the second IM service, she may be askedwhether she would like for the second IM service to attempt to migrateas much as possible of her current IM service contact list to the secondIM service. If so, the specific user may be queried to identify thefirst IM service and to provide her first IM service screen name andpassword.

Using the received first IM service screen name and password, a first IMservice list associated with the specific user may be accessed (step515). As part of this access, first IM service screen names may beextracted or otherwise identified from the first IM service list, whichmay reside on a local IM client. The screen names in the first IMservice list may then be compared with a mapping database that storesinformation regarding which first IM service screen names havecorresponding screen names in the second IM service (step 520). Based onthis comparison, screen names associated with the second IM service thatcorrespond to entries in the first IM service list may be identified(step 525).

If it is determined at step 525 that the second IM service includesscreen names that correspond to entries in the first IM service list,approval to populate the specific user's second IM service contact listwith the corresponding screen name may be requested from the userassociated with the corresponding screen name (step 530). If approval isreceived (step 535), approval to populate the specific user's second IMservice contact list with the corresponding screen name may be requestedfrom the specific user (step 540). This ensures that the specific useractually wants the corresponding screen name in her new contact list. Ifapproval is received (step 545), the specific user's second IM servicecontact list is populated with the corresponding screen name (step 550).If either user denies approval, the process may end (step 570).

In addition, approval to populate the second IM service contact list forthe user associated with the corresponding screen name with the specificuser's second IM service screen name may be requested from the specificuser and/or from the user associated with the corresponding screen name(step 555). If approval is received (step 560), the contact list for theuser associated with the corresponding screen name is populated with thespecific user's screen name (step 565). If either user denies approval,the process may end (step 570).

In some implementations, the process 500 of populating identities in aninstant messaging service may be limited to situations in which thesearch for corresponding screen names is performed at or about the timethat the specific user registers with the second IM service. In such acase, the search for second IM service screen names that correspond tofirst IM service screen names contained in the specific user's first IMservice contact list is essentially limited to users who registered withthe second IM service prior to the specific user. In otherimplementations, however, it may be possible to also perform the process500 at a later or periodically recurring time. Thus, the search forsecond IM service screen names that match first IM service screen namescontained in the specific user's first IM service contact list may alsoinclude users who registered with the second IM service after thespecific user. The need to perform a search subsequent to the initialregistration might occur, for example, if the specific user does notinitially make her first IM service contact list available to the secondIM service for searching or if a periodic update search is desirable toincrease the population of the specific user's second IM service contactlist.

Continuing with the above illustrative example, once John and Andreahave registered with the second IM service, a mapping database maycontain information relating John's and Andrea's respective first IMservice screen names to their respective second IM service screen names.Accordingly, if Bob subsequently switches to the second IM service, aserver associated with the second IM service may compare John's andAndrea's first IM service screen names in Bob's first IM service contactlist with a mapping database to identify John's and Andrea's respectivesecond IM service screen names as corresponding to their respectivefirst IM service screen names. Accordingly, the second IM service servermay request consent from John, Andrea, and/or Bob before populatingBob's, Andrea's, and/or John's second IM service contact list(s) withthe others' second IM service screen names.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process 600 for populating a mappingdatabase associated with a messaging service. For example, informationindicating that a particular user identity associated with one messagingservice belongs to the same user as a corresponding user identityassociated with another messaging service may be stored in a mappingdatabase. This information can be used to assist in populating contactlists, as described above, or for any other desired purpose. The process600 may involve registering a specific user of a first messaging servicewith a second messaging service (step 605). An identification of a firstuser identifier associated with the first messaging service for thespecific user may be requested at the time the specific user registerswith the second messaging service or at some later time (step 610). Forexample, the specific user may be asked as part of the registrationprocess with the second messaging service to identify whether he haspreviously used another messaging service and to identify his useridentifier for that previous messaging service. Similarly, the specificuser may be asked to confirm whether he was previously associated with aparticular identifier during a process of populating another user'scontact list.

An identification of the first user identifier may be received (step615). Generally, this identification is requested by and received by thesecond messaging service, which is already aware of a second useridentifier associated with the second messaging service for the specificuser. Accordingly, a mapping between the first user identifier and thesecond user identifier may be stored (step 620).

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process 700 for populating a mappingdatabase and contact lists in an instant messaging service. The process700 may involve registering a first registered user of a first instantmessaging (IM) service with a second IM service (step 705). A requestmay be sent to the first registered user to identify the first IMservice and for an identification of a first IM service screen name andassociated password for the first registered user (step 710). Anidentification of the first IM service, the first IM service screenname, and the associated password may be received in response to therequest (step 715), and the first IM service screen name and associatedpassword may be used to access the first IM service (step 720). First IMservice contact list and/or other data may be extracted from the firstIM service (step 725). Alternatively, the first registered user maythemselves obtain the first IM service contact list and/or convey thefirst IM service list to the second IM service or may otherwise log ontothe first IM service to allow the data extraction. Using the extracteddata, screen names in the first IM service contact list may be comparedwith mappings of screen names between the first and second IM servicesthat are stored in a mapping database (step 730). Based on mappings thatmatch the screen names in the first IM service contact list, the firstregistered user's second IM service contact list is populated with thecorresponding second IM service screen names stored in the mappingdatabase (step 735).

In addition, a mapping of the first registered user's first IM servicescreen name to the first registered user's second IM service screen nameis stored in the mapping database (step 740). A second user of the firstIM service also registers with the second IM service (step 745). Thefirst registered user's first IM service screen name may be identifiedin a first IM service contact list for the second registered user (step750). The mapping between the first and second IM service screen namesfor the first registered user that was stored at step 740 is used toidentify the first registered user's second IM service screen name (step755). A second IM service contact list for the second registered usercan be populated with the screen name identified in step 755 (step 760).

Returning to the above illustrative example, when Bob switches to thesecond IM service, a server associated with the second IM service mayrequest that Bob identify any previous IM service, along with his screenname for the previous IM service. Bob may identify the first IM serviceand provide his first IM service screen name. The second IM serviceserver may store a mapping of Bob's first IM service screen name to hissecond IM service screen in a mapping database. As a result, subsequentusers of the first IM service who register with the second IM service(and who have first IM service contacts lists that include Bob's firstIM service screen name) can benefit from the contents of the mappingdatabase by obtaining an automated or partially automated populating oftheir second IM service contact lists.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example data processing system800, which may be used to implement a system for populating useridentifiers in a messaging service. The data processing system 800includes a central processor 810, which executes programs, performs datamanipulations and controls tasks in the system 800. The centralprocessor 810 is coupled with a bus 815 that can include multiplebusies, which may be parallel and/or serial basses.

The data processing system 800 includes a memory 820, which can bevolatile and/or non-volatile memory, and is coupled with thecommunications bus 815. The system 800 can also include one or morecache memories. The data processing-system 800 can include a storagedevice 830 for accessing a storage medium 835, which may be removable,read-only, or read/write media and may be magnetic-based, optical-based,semiconductor-based media, or a combination of these. The dataprocessing system 800 can also include one or more peripheral devices840(1)-840(n) (collectively, devices 840), and one or more controllerand/or adapters for providing interface functions.

The system 800 can further include a communication interface 850, whichallows software and data to be transferred, in the form of signals 854over a channel 852, between the system 800 and external devices,networks, or information sources. The signals 854 can embodyinstructions for causing the system 800 to perform operations. Thesystem 800 represents a programmable machine, and can include variousdevices such as embedded controllers, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs),Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and the like. Machineinstructions (also known as programs, software, software applications orcode) can be stored in the machine 800 and/or delivered to the machine800 over a communication interface. These instructions, when executed,enable the machine 800 to perform the features and function describedabove. These instructions represent controllers of the machine 800 andcan be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-orientedprogramming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. Suchlanguages can be compiled and/or interpreted languages.

These instructions may be stored on a machine-readable medium. As usedherein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computerprogram product, apparatus and/or device used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to the machine 800, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. Examples of a machine-readable medium includethe storage medium 835, the memory 820, and/or PLDs, FPGAs, ASICs, andthe like.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provideinput to the computer. The described techniques and systems may alsofind utility in connection with other devices that can support messagingservices, such as PDAs.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. For example, manyof the steps of the various processes described above may be omittedand/or performed in a different order than illustrated and described.The techniques may also be used by any system or process that implementsa transition of an email, phone, or other contact list from one serviceprovider to another. Such a transition may be bolstered by determiningand alerting the user to other email addresses or telephone numbersrelated to identities on the list being transitioned. In addition,although the description indicates that users are typically asked forpermission before adding identifiers to the user's or another user'scontact list, some implementations may not require permission to begranted. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A method for populating identities in a message service, the methodcomprising: registering a user of a first messaging service with asecond messaging service; identifying user identities for users otherthan the registered user, wherein the user identities are associatedwith the first messaging service and the user identities are stored in alist associated with the registered user; determining if at least one ofthe identified user identities has a matching user identity associatedwith the second messaging service; and populating a database associatedwith the second messaging service with the matching user identities. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the second messaging service and the firstmessaging service comprise instant messaging services.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the user identities associated with the first messagingservice are included in a contact list associated with an instantmessaging service of the first messaging service.
 4. The method of claim3 wherein the user identities associated with the first messagingservice comprise screen names.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein thedatabase associated with the second messaging service comprises acontact list for the registered user that is associated with an instantmessaging service of the second messaging service.
 6. The method ofclaim 2 further comprising populating a contact list, associated withthe second messaging service, for at least one of the other users with auser identifier for the registered user.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein determining if each identified user identity has a matching useridentity associated with the second messaging service comprisesidentifying if a unique portion of each identified user identity isidentical to a unique portion of a user identity associated with thesecond messaging service.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein determiningif each identified user identity has a matching user identity associatedwith the second messaging service comprises identifying if a uniqueportion of each identified user identity has at least a required amountof common features with a unique portion of a user identity associatedwith the second messaging service.
 9. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising: determining a degree of uniqueness of an identified useridentity; and adjusting the required amount of common features betweenthe unique portion of the identified user identity and the uniqueportion of a matching user identity associated with the second messagingservice based on the determined degree of uniqueness of the identifieduser identity.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising obtainingapproval to populate a database associated with the second messagingservice with each matching user identity, wherein the approval isobtained from at least one of the registered user and the other userassociated with the matching user identity.
 11. The method of claim 1further comprising obtaining approval to populate the database with eachmatching user identity, wherein the approval is obtained from at leastone of the registered user and the other user associated with thematching user identity.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein obtainingapproval to populate the database with each matching user identitycomprises requesting confirmation from the other user associated withthe matching user identity that the respective identified user identityis associated with the other user.
 13. The method of claim 1 whereindetermining if at least one of the identified user identities has amatching user identity associated with the second messaging servicecomprises determining if each identified user identity has a matchinguser identity associated with the second messaging service.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 wherein determining if at least one of the identifieduser identities has a matching user identity associated with the secondmessaging service comprises determining if profile data associated witheach of the identified user identities matches profile data associatedwith a potential matching user identity.
 15. The method of claim 1wherein at least one of the matching user identities and the identifieduser identities comprise electronic mail addresses.
 16. An articlecomprising a machine-readable medium storing instructions for causingone or more processors to perform operations comprising: registering auser of a first messaging service with a second messaging service;identifying user identities for users other than the registered user,wherein the user identities are associated with the first messagingservice and the user identities are stored in a list associated with theregistered user; determining if at least one of the identified useridentities has a matching user identity associated with the secondmessaging service; and populating a database associated with the secondmessaging service with the matching user identities.
 17. The article ofclaim 16 wherein the second messaging service and the first messagingservice comprise instant messaging services.
 18. The article of claim 17wherein the user identities associated with the first messaging serviceare included in a contact list associated with the first messagingservice.
 19. The article of claim 18 wherein the user identitiesassociated with the first messaging service comprise screen names. 20.The article of claim 18 wherein the machine-readable medium storesinstructions for causing one or more processors to perform furtheroperations comprising populating a contact list, associated with thesecond messaging service, for at least one of the other users with auser identifier for the registered user.